Literary Quote of the Day: Thomas Jefferson

Today’s literary quote of the day is from a letter from Thomas Jefferson to Governor Plumer in 1816, partially published in the book Thomas Jefferson on Democracy edited by Saul K. Padover:

The generation which commences a revolution rarely completes it.

As always, share your thoughts on today’s literary quote in the comment section of this post.

2 Responses to “Literary Quote of the Day: Thomas Jefferson”

1. domajot says:

   March 2, 2007 at 12:56 am

   This is in line with my own notion that the US revolution is still in progress.
   It’s why I don’t fall in with the ‘original intent’ interpretation of the Constitution in its extreme form. A revolution starts a new cycle of an evolutionary process
2. Gray says:

   March 2, 2007 at 5:51 am

   You say you want a revolution
   Well, you know
   We all want to change the world
   You tell me that it’s evolution
   Well, you know
   We all want to change the world
   But when you talk about destruction
   Don’t you know that you can count me out
   Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right
   all right, all right

   You say you got a real solution
   Well, you know
   We’d all love to see the plan
   You ask me for a contribution
   Well, you know
   We’re doing what we can
   But when you want money
   for people with minds that hate
   All I can tell is brother you have to wait
   Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right
   all right, all right
   Ah

   ah, ah, ah, ah, ah…

   You say you’ll change the constitution
   Well, you know
   We all want to change your head
   You tell me it’s the institution
   Well, you know
   You better free you mind instead
   But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
   You ain’t going to make it with anyone anyhow
   Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right
   all right, all right
   all right, all right, all right
   all right, all right, all right

   The Beatles, ‘Revolution’